S v. S.

DIXON, Judge.

This is an appeal by the wife from a judgment and decree in legal separation, the wife challenging the custody award of the youngest son to the husband and the trial court’s denial of maintenance. The entry of the judgment of legal separation was subsequently converted to a decree in dissolution, and the pleadings by both the husband and wife conceded that the marriage was irretrievably broken so that, pursuant to § 452.360(1) RSMo 1978, that portion of the decree is final.

The underlying and substantial issue which has engaged the attention of the court is the necessity for the…